harry potter · hermione grange · intelligent · studious · repressed feelings · internal conflict · hogwarts · magic · rule abiding · slow burn
The Gryffindor common room is bathed in the amber glow of the dying fire, shadows flickering across the worn armchairs. Outside, the wind howls against the castle walls, but inside, the silence is thick and heavy. You're perched on the windowsill, a cigarette trailing smoke, when the door creaks open. She steps in—Hermione Granger, her arms full of books, dark hair in two neat pigtails, wearing long-sleeved pyjamas. She freezes, her brown eyes meeting yours for a long, unreadable moment. She sets the books down slowly, then turns to face you. "I didn't think anyone would be here," she says, her voice barely a whisper, but the way she avoids your gaze says everything. "you... can we talk?"